Machine for substituting cores for the cores in yarn packages



Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 3 MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE COREIN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 j I 97 208 I mI f @209 MR El-HLL I all: /9 7 l: A fl s IL: m0 o,

Oct. 6, 1942. 'r. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

I MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 1;, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 L WMI QJMM.

Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CO RE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 AIR Z05- 205 9'; Zd

i 2 /9 A I 203- 79 Z03 E 65L 99 58 57 I Z? ra l f U l ,1 I m- 9 I If H17 4 i -78 I' l m 1.\ 750 p my s6 "I I I 7.96 77 I I z 9 I Oct; 6, 1942.T. A. susEN 2,

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 W @he Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN2,293,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE- IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 flew Oct. 6, 1942. 'r. A. susEN2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE GORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 8 6, 1942- 'r. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 T. A. SUSEN Oct. 6, 1942.

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 1O IIIHI' Ill! 205 T. A. SUSEN MACHINEFOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11,1940 13 Sheets-Sheet ll 061:. 6, 1942. gus 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 wow)? Jag/W- Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE FiledApril 11, 1940 1s Sheets-Sheet 1s i IIIH;

cjkzz Patented oct. 6, 1942 MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING CORES FOR THE CORESIN YARN PACKAGES Theodore A. Susen, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to PhoenixDye Works, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April11, 1940, Serial No. 329,017

34 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for replacing the core of a packageof yarn with a core adapted particularly for use in the dyeing of yarnwithout requiring the package of yarn to be first rewound before thedyeing operation.

Certain cores found in yarn packages are more suitable for use in thedyeing operation than others. Textile mills supply these yarn packageswith many types of cores. When cores are provided that are not suitableand interfere with the dyeing operation and it is desirable to use amore eflicient type of core, the cost of rewindingthese packages uponnew cores prior to dyeing must be assumed by the yarn dyers. The expenseis considerable due to the labor and machinery required.

An object of the invention relates broadly, therefore, to a new andnovel type of machine for removing the core of a package of yarn andpositioning therein a core of a type particularly suitable for useduring the dyeing operation without requiring the rewinding of the yarn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this typethat will accomplish the aforesaid core replacement without injury tothe yarn or damage to the package.

It will be noted that yarn is of a character that admits of readytearing or rupturing. When wrapped as a fine thread into packagescontaining many thousands of yards, it is quite essential that theinternal support furnished by the core be maintained at all times toprevent collapsing of these packages. If the core opening is allowed tochange in any way during the replacement operation, it is quite apparentthat a new core could not be substituted without injury to the delicateyarn threads and that many of such threads would be ruptured.

According to the teachings of the invention, I contemplate employing acontractible core that may be easily positioned within the yarn packagesubstantially concurrently with the displacement of the core of thepackage. contractible core that may be used may vary according to thedesign or kind of core preferred, but, specifically, I disclose the useof a spiral spring that can be advantageously gripped at both ends andwound upon its mounting by twisting so that its diameter willbemomentarily reduced to facilitate its insertion within the packagewithout destroying the package or disturbing the yarn. After it isinserted, releasing the wound spiral spring will. allow it to expandwithout tearing or rupturing the yarn or disturbing the windings wherebythe yarn package will re- The type of main intact and the yarnprotected. A noted advantage will be obtained in employing acontractible core that may expand within the yarn package. I find thatthis type of core will cause the yarn package likewiseto expand slightlyso that, when stacked within the liquor vat in vertical rows, thepressure holding each row in position when the vat cover is closed nateuneveness that has heretofore existed and resulted in uneven penetrationof the dye liquor. A further object of the invention is to provide 'anovel type of core replacing machine that will substitute a contractiblecore for the core of a yarn package by means of a series of operationsthat assure replacement of such core without injury to the yarn, suchoperations being effected in a predetermined sequence by means of anovel I form of interlocking control designed to eliminate error by theoperator and a consequent destruction of the package as well as possibleinjury to the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel type of corereplacing machine that will substitute a contractible core for the coreof the yarn package without disturbing the fabric sleeve, known as thestocking, usually disposed between the core and the yarn, the stockingbeing kept in position during the replacement so that it may be usedwith the new core to prevent the new core from injuring the yarn throughdirect contact therewith.

In the form of machine disclosed herein, as one of the preferredembodiments of the invention, a novel form of interlocking control isprovided.

Inasmuch as a series of operations are required improper time willresult in destruction of the package. To overcome this diificulty, theactuating members of each operative step are associated with switchmeans in a control circuit which will require energization in apredetermined sequence in order to be operative. manner, I am able tomaintain a definite se- In this ing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same;

. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of this machine with.

the cover removed;

I Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 55 of Fig. 1,this view illustrating a yarn package in position upon its mountingmeans and a spiral spring core locked in position ready .to becontracted;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 6-4 of Fig.5, illustrating'incro'ss section the core package and spiral spring coreupon their mounting means and the mechanism for locking the spiralspring core in position prior to being contracted;

Fig. 7 is a similar vertical sectional view illustrating in openposition the locking dogs .for

gripping and locking the ends of spiral spring core;

Fig. 8 is a similar vertical sectional view but taken at right angleswith respect to the section shown in Fig. 7 and illustrating inelevation the- 'locking dogs and their actuating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view similarto Fig. 6 and-illustrating the core package andspiral spring core upon their mountingmeans together with the mechanismfor contracting the spiral spring core, the latter being shown incontracted position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical view of the yarn package and springmounting means, illustrating the position of the parts thereof after thespiral spring has been contracted and the fabric sleeve gripping meansis about to move toward the open end of the fabric sleeve to grip thesame and hold the fabric sleeve extended;

Fig. v11 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 9-but illustratingthe fabric sleeve gripped and held extended and the mechanism foractuating the fabric sleeve gripping means;

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 11 that are carriedupon the front of the machine;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 butillustrating the spiral spring sectionally in contracted position andthe fabric sleeve gripping 'means gripping and holding the fabric sleeveextended, all said parts showing their readiness for the next operationof moving the yarn package upwardly to displace the core therein andposition the contracted spring core in the yarn package;

Fig. 14 illustrates the structure shown in Fig. 13 after this said nextoperation is completed with the yarn package moved upwardly, the coretherein displaced therefrom and the contracted spring positioned in theyarn package;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view through the machine to illustratein elevation the structure shown in Fig. 13 and to illustrate partly insection and partly in elevation the mechanism for effecting the upwardmovement of the yarn package;

Fig. 16 is a view of the front of the machine to illustrate in frontelevation the parts of the structure shown in Fig. 15 that are carriedthereupon;

Fig. ,1-7 is cuit;

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the various air valves and circuitestablishing devices for operating the same;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail view of the operata wiring'diag'ram of thecontrol ciring connection between the mechanism for actuating the lowercore locking dog and.'the

Y manual control device that operates the same;

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2020 of Fig. 4 toillustrate'in detail the operating connection between the mechanism foractuating the upper core locking dog and the manual control device thatoperates the same;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional detailview of the same mechanism, beingtaken on line Il-ll of Fig. 5;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing a.slightly modifiedform of mechanism that may be employed to displace the core of the yarnpackage; and

Fig. 23 is a similar viewto illustrate the manher in which it looks thecore of the yarn package against upward movement with the yarn package.

The invention is described and illustrated herein in a form consideredto be very desirable, but it is to be-understood that the invention isnot limited .to such form because it may be embodied in other forms. Itis also to be understood that in and by the claims following thedescription it is desired to cover the invention in whatever form it maybe embodied.

I shall first describe the various operations and the parts thatdirectly effect such operations. Thereafter, the actuating mechanismsfor these parts will be separately described so that the novel manner inwhich they interlockingly operatewill be clearly apparent. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to each andevery step described or to their herein disclosed sequence of operation.The invention is particularly directed to a machine adapted to performcertain novel results in the replacement of a core in a yarn package,whether these results may be obtained through the use of a limitednumber of steps as disclosed or through their employment in the same ordifferent sequence.

By referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, it will be observed that aplatform or holder I is provided to receive a yarn package 2representing, for the tween the yarn and the core a fabric sleeve 4,

known in the trade as a stocking, for protecting the yarn fromthe coreso that the yarn will not be frayed or torn by resting directly upon thecore. Central core 3 may be accepted as being made of cardboard or othermaterial, that will not admit of immersion in the dye liquor, or of aconstruction that will not permit radial dispersion of the dye liquorfrom the center of the package, or it may be accepted as of a type thatshould be removed and replaced by another core for any desirable purposein the handling of a yarn package or like packages of other or similarmaterial.

Yarn package holder I may be carried by a bracket 5 secured to'a plate 6adapted to slide along a track I mounted upon the front of the machine.A pair of shafts 8 and 9 are arranged in axial alignment so that theymay be moved toward and away from each other. Lower shaft 81 passesthrough a central opening I in holder I (Fig. 6), which opening I 8 maybe of a size permitting holder I to be freely moved concentrically alonglower shaft 8 after both shafts are moved to closed position. A bracketH having bearings I2 and I3 supports lower shaft 8 in rotationalrelation but prevents this lower shaft 8 from moving vertically oraxially. Rotation of lower shaft 8 is effected by a drive designatedbroadly as I4t o be hereinafter described. Bracket I I is provided witha plate I5 secured by bolts I6 to the lower end of that portion of themachine frame comprising track 1.

Upper shaft 9 is mounted to be both rotatably and axially movable. Itsupper end is provided with collars I1 and I1 fixed thereto, thesecollars being located on opposite sides of a bracket I8 having a splitbearing I8 adapted to be movable up and down by pivotally mountedswinging bars I9 extending forwardly through slots in the front wall ofthe machine to connect at 2I to bracket I8. Movement of bars I9 andbearing bracket I8 will lower and raise shaft 9. A

Another split bearing 21 is also provided on bracket 22. Between thesebearings 26 and 21, a drive designated broadly as 30 connects to uppershaft 9 to rotatably drive the same without interfering with itsvertical movement. Drive 30 will rotate shaft 9 in a direction oppositeto the;

rotation of shaft 8. Shafts 8 and 9 are reduced at 3| and 32,respectively, to form seats between which a core to be substituted maybe positioned and locked by a pair of actuatable pawls 33 and 34.

I have specifically shown herein this core to be in the form of a spiralSpring 35. It is adapted to be seated firstupon shoulder 3I whence uppershaft 9 will be lowered to meet lower shaft 8. To keep shafts 8 and 9securely centered with respect to each other, particularly duringoperations to follow, lower shaft 8 is provided with a recess 36 adaptedto receive a reduced projection or tongue 31 on upper shaft 9. Thus,these shafts are held in perfect alignment when they are in closedposition, the reason for which will be hereinafter obvious. After shafts8 and 9 are closed in this manner, locking pawls or lugs 33 and 34 willbe projected outwardly to grip the end convolutions of the spiral springcore 35 to lock the latter firmly in position upon these shafts 8 and 9(see Fig. 5 for example). After spiral spring 35 is thus locked inposition, shafts 8 and 9 are rotated in opposite directions to wind thisspring upon the shafts, thereby reducing the diameter of the spiralspring and causing it to contract so as to be substantially equal toshafts 8 and 9 beyond their reduced sections. In other words-the ends ofshafts 8 and 9 ar reduced between points 3| and 32 an extent equal tothe thickness of the strip of material out of which spiral spring 35 isformed, so that, when spiral spring 35 is contracted, its reduceddiameter will be substantially equal to th diameter of shafts 8 and 9and the outer surface of spiral spring 35 will be flushed with thesurface of shafts 8 and 9. This will be evident from an inspection ofFig, 10 which illustrates shafts 8 and 9 in closed position and thespring wound thereupon in contracted position.

The next step in the operation involves lowering sleeve 49 having adownwardly projecting finger 4| provided with a laterally extending pin42. Sleeve is fixed against rotation by being supported in a bearing 43carried by a bracket 44. Bracket 44 extends forwardly from plate 29Iadapted to move vertically along track 1. Sleeve 40 is adapted to movedownwardly over spring 35.

in wound position until pin 42 is low enough to grip the upper end ofstocking 4. The operator will then flare the exposed upper end ofstocking 4 about the lower edge of sleeve 40 and hook the same overlaterally extending pin 42, the position of the parts when thisoperation takes place being shown in Fig. 11.

The parts of the machine are now in position for the final operationincluding a number of steps that occur almost simultaneously andpreferably with considerable rapidity. As illustrated in Fig. 5, an arm39 is secured to plate 8 and ex-- tends through the front wall of themachine housing to the rear to connect to the lower end of a rod 46projecting from an air cylinder 41. As will be hereinafter described,when air is admitted to cylinder 41, rod 46 is raised and in turnbracket 5 is raised to lift work holder I upwardly. The first of theoperations that occur when this movement is initiated results in thedisplacement of core 3 from yarn package 2. At the time looking pawls 33and 34 are projected laterally through openings in the sides of shafts 8and 9, substantially at the point of their reductions designated 3| and32, to lock the ends of spiral spring tothese shafts, a pair ofdiametrically opposed core displacement lugs 48 are projected outwardlyon opposite sides of lower shaft 8 (see Figs. 13 and 14). These coredisplacement lugs 48 preferably project at right angles to locking lug33 and are disposed to project from the lower shaft 8 on opposite sidesdirectly therebelow. It is desirable to extend these core displacementlugs 48 a distance equal to the thickness of the wall of core 3, or atleast to the extent that they will not interfere with stocking 4 in theupward movement of package 2 which carries stocking 4 therewith.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, opening I0 is of a diameter suflicient toallow core 3 to drop thereinto, or in other words, for work holder I tocontinue moving yarn package 2 upwardly after lugs 48 restrain furtherupward movement of core 3.-

Work holder I will move package 2 a short distance upwardly before theupper periphery of core 3 engages against lugs 48, this distance beingindicated by the dotted and full line positions of work holder I, shownin Fig. 13. The operating parts during this movement will bring package2 up and over spiral spring 35, as illustrated in Figs, 14 to 16. Thatis to say, spiral spring 35 will, relatively speaking, be placed withinthe core opening of package 2 as core 3 is displaced at the bottomthrough opening III in work holder I. At the same time, sleeve 40 willmove upward with work holder I so that laterally extending pin 42 willkeep the upper end of stocking 4 extended. Thus, stocking 4 will notinterfere with the interpositioning of the wound spiral spring withinpackage 2. As soon as this step in the sequence of operations iscompleted, locking lugs 33 and 34 release the ends of spiral spring 35to permit the latter to unwind itself within package 2. In turn, shafts8 and 9 are each rotated in opposite direction to return to theiroriginal position. These shafts are then separated by upper shaft 9returning vertically to its original position and work holder I droppingto its lowermost position with package 2 now containing therein as itscore spiral spring 38 in expanded position. Yarn package 2 may then belifted upwardly to be removed from shaft 8. Displaced core 3 maylikewise be removed by being lifted upwardly along lower shaft 8 untilit clears the end thereof. As illustrated in Figs. and 16, one of thedisplaced cores 3 may be allowed to remain upon lower shaft land restagainst upper edge of bearing I2 so that when work holder I returns tooriginal position it will serve as a partial ejector to raise eachsuccessive core 3 that is displaced from these yam packages by causingeach successive core to remain extended far enough above work holder Ito be gripped and removed.

It will be observed, therefore, that the various steps of the operationof the machine include placing yarn package 2 upon work holder I,seating spiral spring 38 upon shoulder 3|, lowering upper shaft 3 untilits projection or tongue 31 seats in recess 36 in lower shaft 8 andsimultaneously extending locking lugs 33 and 34 outwardiy from withinshafts 8 and 8 to grip the ends of spiral spring 35, rotating shafts 8and 8 in' opposite directions to wind spiral spring 38 thereupon inorder to reduce the diameter thereof to substantially the diameter ofshafts 8 and 8, then lowering sleeve 48 and flaring the upper end ofstocking 4 to hook it over laterally extending pin 42, raising workholder I to move yarn package 2 upwardly and over spiral spring 38 sothat, in effect, this spiral spring, in a contracted condition, will beplaced within the core opening of package 2 immediately upondisplacement of core 3 as package 2 moves upwardly, rotating shafts 8and 8 in reverse directions so that it will expand to normal size withinpackage 2, and finally, returning the parts to their original positionwhich includes releasing the ends of the contracted spiral spring fromlocking lugs 33 and 34, separating shafts 8 and 8, and returning workholder I to its original position with spiral spring in package 2.

The various operating mechanisms for effecting these operations will nowbe described.

Mechanism for locking spiral spring in position The mechanism foreffecting the first operation of the machine after a yam package isplaced upon work holder I will now be described.

A foot pedal 58 is positioned at the left-hand side of the machine andis adapted to be depressed to bring shafts 8 and 9 together and extendlocking lugs 33 and 34 to grip theends of a spiral spring mounted uponthese shafts between shoulders 3| and 32. See Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive.Foot pedal 88 is carried by a lever lI keyed to a rock shaft 52. Alsokeyed to rock shaft 82 is a lever 53 extending rearwardly behind thefront wall of the machine to connect at 54 to a vertically positionedactuating bar 88, which extends substantially the entire height of themachine to connect at 58 to a lever 81 keyed to a rock shaft 88. Bothrock shafts 82 and 88 lie within the machine frame and extendtransversely to be carried by bearings in the side walls. The frame ofthe machine may assume" any design, but, as illustrated in Fig. 4, it issubstantially rectangular with a front wall 88, sidewalls 8| and 62, anda removable rear wall 83 seated against flanges 84 in side walls 8i and82. Swinging bars I8 are likewise keyed to rock at their forward ends bya cross rod 2|.

, shaft 8.

shaft 88 by means of an integral bearing 88,

which is positioned upon rock shaft 88 so that swinging bars I8willextend forwardly through slots 28 in front wall 88 and will beconnected Bars I8 are slotted at 88 for rod 2| to ride therein when barsI8 are rocked. Bars I8 are shown in their upper position in Figs. land2, and in their lower position in Figs. 5 and 20. As illustrated inenlarged detail in Figs. 20Iand 21, bracket I8 is arranged to ridebetween vertically positioned brackets 88 secured at 88 by bolts or thelike to guide members 88 which are in turn secured bythese bolts tofront wall 88 of the machine frame. Wall 88 may be reenforced slightlyat this point by a raised face It. Wall 88 is slotted at 82 to allow thereduced'end 81 of bracket I8 to ride'in this slot and be guided betweenmembers 88. Thus, bracket I8 is securely guided in its vertical movementby bars I8. Bracket I8 is provided at its outer end with the splitbearing I8 receiving upper shaft 8 so that vertical movement of bracketI8 will move shaft 8. As previously explained,-collars I1 and I1 arelocked to shaft 8 on oppositesides of bearing I8. .Thus, bracket I8 willraise and lower shaft 8 as bars I8 are rocked about shaft 88.

To effect operation of locking lugs 33 and 34, rods 83 and 84 extendthrough shafts 8 and 8. After shafts 8 and 8 are closed so that tongue31 is seated in recess 86, rods 88 and 84 continue to move inwardly toproject locking lugs 33 and 34 from shafts 8 and 8. The means foractuating rod 88 is shown in detail in Fig. 19, while the means foractuating rod 84 is shown in detail in Fig. 20. Referring to the lattermechanism first, it will be observed that bracket I8 is provided with avertical lug 86, to which the lever 81 is pivoted at 88. Lever 81 isslotted at 88 near its outer end and pivotally connects to .rod 84.Lever 81 is urged to move in counterclockwise direction about its pivot88 by means of a spring I88 connected between this lever 81 and bracketI8. This counterclockwise movement of lever 81 is limited, however, by astop pin IIII carried by bracket I8. A bracket I82 is bolted to the rearsurface of front wall 88 substantially centrally of slot 82. Bracket I82is adapted to carry a sleeve I83 internally threaded at its lower end toreceive an adjusting bolt I84 and is slotted at I85 at its opposite endto receive a cross pin I88 carried by a pin I81. Pin I81 projectsupwardly out of sleeve I83. Between pin I81 and adjusting bolt I84 is aspring I88 adapted to urge pin I81 upwardly. The inner end of lever 81is adapted to rest against pin I81. As bars I8 are swung to lowerbracket I8, shaft 9 will be lowered to engage Continued downwardmovement of bracket I8 causes the engagement of the inner end of lever81 with pin I81 to tilt this lever 81 clockwise about its pivot 88 tomove rod 84 downwardly a slight distance after shaft 8 is locked againstshaft 8. The pin and slot connection between pin I81 and sleeve I83causes spring I88 to firmly hold rod 84 downwardly so that its tip- I32will yieldingly press against locking lug 34 to hold the latter inspring gripping position (see Fig. 6). As rod 84 is moved downwardly inthis manner, rod 83 will be moved upwardly so that its tip I3I willlikewise be yieldingly pressed against locking lug 33 to hold the latterin spring gripping position.

As stated previously, the mechanism for accomplishing this movement isshown in detail in Fig. 19. It comprises a lever I09 pivoted at H to adependent finger III integral with. bracket II. The opposite end oflever I09 is pivotally secured to a rod H2. Rod H2 loosely passesthrough an opening H3 in a cross-connection H4 connected between a pairof bars H5 keyed to rock shaft 52 (see also Fig. l). Cross-connection H4is adapted to move freely along rod H2 until it strikes a spring II6seated against an adjustable nut 1. As spring H6 is compressed, rod H2will be pulled downwardlyto tilt lever I03 at I I0, thereby raising rod93..

' Spring H6 acts as-an adjustable take-up for movement of bars- H5, ifthere should-be any, after rod 93 has been raised to its extreme up wardlimit. Bars H5 are keyed to rock shaft 52 so that initial movement ofrock shaft 52, as pedal 50 is depressed, will merely cause bars H5 totravel freely downwardly along rod I I2. During this period of themovement, pedal 50, through the connections. described, is effectingdownward movement of upper shaft 9. As soon as shaft 9 is seated againstshaft 8, cross-connection H4, actuated by bars I I5,'will begin to bearagainst spring I I6 to move rod I I2 downwardly in order to tilt bar I09and raise lower rod 93 at the time upper rod 94 is lowered, whereby bothlocking lugs 33 and 34 will be extended to "grip the ends of spiralspring 35, as illustrated for example in Figs. 5 and 6. It will beobserved, therefore, that the mechanism herein provided for gripping aspiral spring core includes two axially aligned shafts movable relativeto each other so as to close one upon the other and two rods centrallydisposed within these shafts and movable relative thereto, so that,after the shafts are brought together, the rods will continue to move toactuate locking devices for gripping the ends of the spring. The shaftsmay then be rotated in opposite directions in order to wind the springthereon and reduce the diameter of the spring. The shafts are reduced indiameter where the spring is wound thereabout to permit this spring tobe contracted to substantially the same diameter as the shafts. Thus,the peripheral surface of the spring convolutions will be substantiallycontinuous with the peripheral surface of shafts 8 and 9 as illustratedin Figs. 9 and 10.

The mechanism for ejecting locking. lugs 33 and 34 into spring grippingposition is shown in Fig. 6 and includes spring pressed pins I seated inholes I2I provided in inserts I22 and I23 driven into the ends of theseshafts 8 and 9. Each hole I2I includes a spring I24 which pressesagainst pins I20 to urge them outwardly so that reduced tips I25 bearagainst locking lugs 33 and 34. (See also Figs. 7 and 8.) Inserts I22and I23 are preferably held in position at the ends of shafts 8 and '9by a tight fit or by set screws I22 and I23. Tongue 31' is in fact anextension of insert- I22, while recess 36 is in fact formed in insertI23. A hearing I26 may be positioned in recess 36 so that any tendencyfor the wall of recess 36 to wear as the result of tongue 31 enteringthe recess to hold shafts 8 and 3 in axial alignment may be readilycompensated for through the renewal of this bearing. Locking lugs 33 and34 are pivoted at I21 and I28, respectively, in any suitable way withinshafts 8 and 9 adjacent the beginning of their reduced ends, preferablyopposite seats 3I' and 32. Slots I 23 and I are provided in shafts 8 and9 to permit lock- 7 33 and 94 hearing against locking lugs 33 and inglugs. 33 and 34 to extend outwardly and permit their hooked ends to gripthe last convolution at each end of spring 35, as illustrated in Fig.-6. When shafts 8 and 9 are separated, as illustrated in Fig. 1,'and rods93 and 94 are extended outwardly, spring pressed pins I20 bear againstlocking lugs 33 and 34 to withdraw the same to their position withinshafts 8 and 9, as illustrated in Fig. 7. With shafts 8 and 9 broughttogether and rods 93 and 94 forced inwardly toward each other, thetension of springs I 24 is overcome by the reduced tips I3I and I32 ofrods 34. Spring pressed pins I20 are, therefore, depressed into holesI2I and locking lugs 33 and 34 are swung about their pivot points I21and I28 to project through openings I29 and I30, whereby to grip thelast convolution at each end of the spiral spring as aforesaid. Thus, aspiral spring will be held firmly upon the reduced ends of hafts 8 and 9between seats 3I and 32 and firmly locked in position to permit shafts 8and 3 to be rotated in opposite directions in order to wind this springupon said reduced shaft ends.

Before describing the mechanism for rotating shafts 8 and 9 in oppositedirections, I shall first describe the mechanism for holding shafts 8and 9 together, as illustrated in the various figures of the drawings.When foot pedal 50 is depressed to the position shown in Fig. 5, lever5I will move past a locking latch I35 pivoted at I36 and connected atI3I to a rod I38 secured to a core I39 01' a pedal locking solenoid I40(see Fig. 1). The upper end of solenoid core I39 is provided with a headI 4| attached to one end of a spring I42 which has its opposite endfixed at I43 preferably to front wall 60 of a machine frame. Normallyspring I42 tends to hold solenoid core I39 upwardly so as to tilt latchI35 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I36 when bar 5| isdepressed by actuating foot pedal 50. The tip of this latch I35 willsnap over the upper edge of bar 5I to hold it in depressed position, asillustrated in Fig. 5. .Lever 5I will remain in this position to keepshafts 8 and 3 in closed position and rods 93 and 94 extended inwardlyto lock lugs 33 and 34 in spring gripping position until solenoid I40 isenergized. The circuit for energizing solenoid I40 will be hereinafterdescribed. This circuit is closed as one of the last steps in thesequence of operation and will occur only when the last manuallyoperable element is actuated. It will thusbe impossible to accidentallyopen or separate the shafts 8 and 3 so as to release the spiral springbefore core 3 in package 2 is displaced and the'spiralspring-interpositioned within this package.

Mechanism for contracting spiral spring core The mechanism forcontracting the spiral spring core will now be described. This operationis accomplished by rotating shafts 8 and 9 in opposite directions untilthe spiral spring is wound from the position shown in Figs. 5 to 8 tothe position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. As will be noted in Figs; 1 and 4,a foot button I45 is disposed to the right of foot pedal 50. Depressingthis foot button I45 closes a switch S'2 disposed in hous ing I46. Thewires of the circuit are led through a conduit I41 that extends to aconduit box I48 and continues as conduit I49 to a relay box I50 closed),relay R-I is energized which, in turn. energizes a solenoid designatedI, adapted to operate an air valve I'6I (Fig. 3) to admit air intocylinders I62 and I66. Air is supplied to air valve III by a pipe I64connecting to the main air supply connection I66 by means of a 1' I66and a cross pipe I61, which connects with main air supply pipe I66through a valve I66. Air flows into cylinders I62 and I66 from air valveI6I through pipe connections I66 and I66. The pistons of air cylinders-I62 and I66 will be raised to lift their rods I6I and I62 which areconnected at their upper ends to a cross plate I66. Cross plate I66 isbolted at I64 to a rack plate I66 guided in its movement within aU-shaped plate I66, carried by a bracket arm I61, bolted at I66 to sideH of the machine housing. A vertical rod I66 is adjustably connected atits lower endto cross plate I66 and rack I66. The upper end of rod I66is similarly connected to the lower end of a second rack I10, adapted'inits movebe apparent hereinafter, none of the actuating elements willoperate before foot pedal 66 is operated and the master starting switchS-I is closed.

Mechanism for. holding stocking extended .this step in the operation ofthe machine is ment to be guided within a U-shaped plate "I carried by abracket arm I12, attached at I16 also to side 6| of the machine housingor frame. Rack I66 is adapted to drive a shaft I14 extending a gear I16fixedly secured to shaft 6. -On the I opposite end of shaft I14 is apinion I11 adapted to mesh with the-teeth of rack I66.- This oppositeend of shaft I14 is supported in a bearing I16 formed on guide plateI66.

When rack I66 is raised through operation of air valve I6I to admit airinto cylinders I62 and I66, shaft I14 is thus rotated to drive the lowershaft 6, say in clockwise direction. Rack I10 meshes with a pinion I16mounted upon a shaft I60 supported in bearing 'I6I formed on guide plateIll and in bearing I62 formed on front wall 60 of the machine housing orframe. Shaft I60 projects through front wall 60 and is carried at thefront end in a bearing I62 provided by bracket 22. A pinion I64 isfixedly secured to the front end of shaft I60 to mesh with a pinion I66fixedly secured to upper shaft 6. It will be noted that the teeth ofrack I10 are on a side opposite with respect to the location of theteeth on rack I66. Consequently, upward movement of rack I10 will rotatepinion I16 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation ofpinion I16. In this manner shaft 6 will be rotated in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation of shaft 6.

It will be observed that foot button I46 closing switch 8-2 bydepressing foot button I46 will not energize relay R-2, and consequentlysolenoid I, until foot pedal 60 has been actuated. This will be moreclearly apparent from the description of the wiring circuit shown inFig. 17. For the present purposes it is sufficient to point out thatthis interlocking relation preventing energization of relay RI andsolenoid I through stepping on foot button I46 before foot pedal 60 isactuated is accomplished through a master starting switch designatedS--I, mounted inside side wall 6I (Fig. 3), which is adapted to be heldclosed by a cam I61 carried upon bar 65. When bar 56 is raised throughdepressing foot pedal 60 and its lever 6|, cam I61 will strike .rollerI66 and close master starting switch S--I. Master starting switch SIremains closed as long as foot pedal 60 and its lever 6| are locked indepressed position, as shown in Fig. 5. As will. also clearly shown inFigs..11 and 12 and includes a foot pedal I60 disposed upon the outerend of lever I6I pivotally carried upon cross shaft 62 and connected atits rear end to a vertical bar I62. Bar I62 is connected at I66 to alink I64 keyed to a cross shaft I66 carried in the sides 6i and 62 ofthe machine housing. A pair of actuating arms I66 is keyed to crossshaft I66 by means of their integral, bearing sleeve I61. See Fig. 4.Actuating arms I66 are slotted at I61 at their outer ends, the slotsreceiving a cross bolt I66 which passes through bracket 44 provided withsplit bearing 46. The upper end of sleeve 40 carrying laterallyextending pin 42 is flxed within bearing 46 so that sleeve 40 may movevertically relative to shaft 6. Bracket 44 is carried by an integralplate 20I designed to embrace and ride along track 1 upon the front ofthe machine. To keep bracket 44 and sleeve 40 in raised position, a pairof counterweights 202 is carried by cables 206 suspended over pulleys204 mounted in brackets 206 that may be attached to the top 206 of themachine housing. Cables 206 extend forwardly through openings 201 in thefront wall 60 and entrain over pulleys 206 carried by brackets 206attached to front wall 60. Cables 206 then extend downwardly forattachment to cross bolt I66, as shown in Fig. 11. In order to holdsleeve 40 in its down position with the upper end of stocking 4 flaredoutwardly and over the lower end so as to be hooked upon laterallyextending pin 42, a latch arm 2I0 (Fig. 12) is pivoted at 2 upon a bar2I2 secured at 2I6 to plate 6, which, as previously stated, alsoembraces and rides along track 1. Latch 2I0 is formed with a hookedfinger 2I6 adapted to snap over a pin 2I6 extending forwardly from plate20I. A spring 2I1 normally tends to keep latch 2 I 0 in latchingposition, shown in Fig. 12, so that, when plate MI is lowered throughswinging movement of bars I66 to the position shown in Fig. 11, pin 2I6*will snap under hooked finger 2 I6 and thereby lock plate 20I, andconsequently sleeve 40, against upward movement. In this manner sleeve40 is held in its lower position, shown in Fig. 11, when pedal I60 isdepressed. Counterweights 202 will tend to raise plate 20I and sleeve 40but this tendency is overcome'by latch 2I0 engaging pin 2I6. Sleeve 40is sumciently large in diameter to clear the projecting tip of lockinglug 64 when sleeve 40 is lowered to the position shown in Figs. 11 and12. The parts are now in a position to effect a displacement of core6and interpositioning of wound spiral spring core 66 within package 2.

-Mechanism for actuating work holder to eject upper movement of yarnpackage upon and over spiral spring Mechanism for effecting the finalsteps in the sequence of operation will now be described. These stepsinclude bringing the yarn package and the spiral spring core together sothat the 231 at its outer end. 'Pawl 231 is pivoted at 239 r so that itwill tilt downwardly when the rightlatter is interpositioned within theyarn package. Before this operation occurs, the core of the package isdisplaced, but the step of bringing the spiral spring core into andwithin the yarn package is rapidly performed in order to prevent theyarn package from collapsing. Although the structure disclosed hereininvolves holding the spiral spring stationary and moving the yarnpackage over and upon the spiral spring, it will be understood that thisform is merely disclosed herein as one embodiment of the invention andthat variations in this arrangement of parts may occur without departingfrom the invention.

After the operator has depressed pedal I90 to bring sleeve 40 downwardlyin order to hook the upper end of stocking 4 upon laterally extendingpin 42 as it is flared about the lower end of sleeve 40, he willcontinue to hold the upper end of this sleeve in this fiared conditionabout the outer edge of the lower end of sleeve 40 as he presses asecond foot button 225 located slightly to the left of foot pedal I90.Foot button 225 closes switch 8-5 to energize solenoid known as 3,clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 15. Energizing solenoid 3 operates anair valve 226 to admit air by means of a pipe 221 to the lower end ofair cylinder 41 whereby to raise its piston rod 46 from the positionshown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 15. As previouslyexplained, piston rod 46 is connected by arm 39 to vertically movableplate 6 adapted to slide along track I upon front wall 60 of themachine. Work holder I is connected to plate 6 by bracket arm 5.Movement of work holder I upwardly with yarn package 2 thereon causes,as the first step in the operation, engagement between core displacementlugs 48 and the upper edge of core 3 in yarn package 2. See Figs. 13 and14. The distance work holder moves before this occurs is illustrated bythe dotted and full line positions of work holder I. Continued upwardmovement of work holder I prevents core 3 from rising with yarn package2, with the result that core displacement lugs 49 hold core 3 frommoving and allow yarn package 2 to continue upwardly with core 3extending downwardly through opening I0 in this work holder I. Aspreviously explained, bar 2I2 is sehand actuating arm I9 strikes itsouter tapered end pin downwardly. A spring 239 tends to hold theopposite end of pawl 23! against a stop 240..

Consequently. pawl 23'! can tilt about its pivot point 238 only incounterclockwise direction. Upon return of actuating arm I9 to theirupper position and the engagement of the right-hand arm against pawl231, lever 235 will tilt clockwise about its pivot point 236 to move'rod234 downwardly. This action trips latch 230 out of the path of movementof shoulder 239 and allows plate 20I to continue upwardly to itsoriginal position.

Before sleeve moves'upwardly, shafts 9 and 9 are rotated in reversedirections to their original position whereby-to unwind spiral spring 35within yarn package 2. The means for accomplishing this step includes acam 24I mounted upon the side of plate6. See Figs. 12 and 16. As plate 6moves upwardly, cam 24I engages a switch 8-3 to open the same andthereby break the circuit to relay R-I. As will be later explained, itis essential to deenergize relay R-I before relay R-2 can be energizedto release pedal from its locked position, shown in Fig. l. A second cam242 is disposed on the opposite side of plate 6 to engage and closeswitch S-4. This occurs after cam 240 opens switch 8-3. Closing switchS4'energizes relay R-2, and consequently solenoid 2 that controls latchI35 holding foot pedal 50 in depressed position. When solenoid 2 isenergized, its core I39 will be moved downwardly to tilt latch I35 aboutits pivot I36 whereby to release this latch from engaging upper edge offoot pedal lever 5I. Immediately foot pedal is restored to its originalposition for a subsequent operation of the machine.

Attention is directed to the fact that switch S-5 will not energize thecircuit of relay R3 until a switch S6 has been closed. Switch cured toplate 6 and moves therewith. Accord- I ingly, latch 2I0 locks plates 6and 20I together so that plate 20I travel upwardly with plate 6 at thesame rate of speed. The mechanical connection formed by these partsbetween plates 5 and 20I is clearly illustrated in Fig. 12.Consequently, sleeve 40 will move upwardly in unison with yarn package2. Although it is not essential, it is desirable that the operatormaintain manual hold of the upper-flared end of stocking 4 during thisupward movement.

When package 2 moves to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16 withspiral spring core 35 positioned therein and core 3 displaced from thepackage, the outer extended arm of latch 2I0 will strike a stop 228mounted upon front wall of the machine, so as to trip this latch 2| 0from engagementwith pin 2I6. The mechanical connection between plates 6and 20I is thereby broken so that the latter plate may be moved upwardlyby the action of-counterweights 202 to its position of rest.Substantially at this point in the operation, a shoulder 229 engages a,latch 230 pivoted at 23I upon plate 232 secured to front wall 60. Latch230 is provided with an arm 233 connected to a vertical rod 234 whichextends upwardly (Fig. 1) to connect to a tiltable lever 235 pivoted at236. Lever 235 carries a trip pawl -S-6 may be seen in Fig. 3.

It is closed upon upward movement of rack I'I0. This is accomplished bya bar 242 mounted to extend transversely from rack I10 so that avertical projection 243 carried by bar 242 may engage a cam arm ofswitch S--6 and hold it closed while air cylinders I52 and I53 remaincharged with air .to keep racks I and I'll) extended vertically.

' With racks I65 and I10 moved to their upper position, shafts 8 and 9will beheld rotated in opposite directions to keep spiral spring 35wound upon the reduced ends of these two shafts.

Closing switch 8-5, by depressing foot button 225, will energizesolenoid 3 to charge air cylin- .cuit of solenoid I.

der 41. This moves work holder I upwardly, as previously explained.However, opening switch 8-3 when work holder I moves upwardly breaks thecircuit of relay R-I, and therefore the cir- Air valve I5I will then beclosed and air will be led from air chambers I5I and I53 through pipes244 and 245 throughthis air valve I5I to be exhausted. Releasing airfrom air cylinders I5I and I52 returns racks I65 and H0 to theiroriginal position. This causes shafts 8 and 9 to be rotated in reversedirections but opposite to the direction of rotation originally, whichcaused the spiral spring to be wound in contracted position upon theseshafts. With the unwinding of the shafts, so to speak, the spring coreis unwound within package 2.

The ends of spiral spring 35 are then released from looking lugs 33 and34. This will be accomplished as soon as solenoid 2 is energized to

